Durga Puja

Durga Puja is not only considered as one of the popular festivals in India, but also the greatest festival of the Bengali community. Actually Durga puja celebrates ten days festivals. Devotees are worshipping Goddess Durga on that day. Durga Puja begins with Mahalaya and it is held for seven days prior to the main festival. It starts on after seven days. The festival includes Shashti, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami. During that day when Mahalaya precedes Durga, all the family members conduct Tarpan which means the remembrance of their ancestors. In every home, devotees are creating Puja Mandapas and also chanting various slokas every morning. The week that follows Mahalaya Is is called Debi-Pokhsha. Mainly the Puja starts on Saptami till Dashami. The eighth day is the day of Sandhi Puja and on that day, devotees are eating only vegetarian foods. At last, Navami reaches and the next day of Dashami is considered with the belief that Navami is the last day for the goddess Durga in father's home. The next day is Dashami, while on that day, she returns to her husband's home. At the end of the day is Bijoya Dashami, the idol of Goddess Durga immersed in water. As part of rituals, people exchange greetings. The sixth day of Navaratri is the first day of Durga Puja. During that day, devotees decorate the idols by using flowers, clothes, jewellery etc. As part of Hindu custom, the seventh conduct that a small banana plant called Kola Bouis was taken to the river and carried back with the proper dress in a bordered saree and placed near to Goddess Durga. As part of the celebration, devotees are singing and dancing too. At the end of the day it is believed as the victory of Durga over Demon. Before starting Puja, there are some rituals such as Bodhana, Adhivasa, Navapatrika, Sandhi puja, Ashtami puja, Homa and blog, Sindhoor Khila and immersion, Dhunuchi.